aiken



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1. H. AIKEN. APPARATUS FOR CONVEYING AND COOLING METAL PLATES. No. 462,962.

Patented Nov. 10,- 1891.

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H. AIKEN. APPARATUS FOR CONVEYING AND 000mm MET L PLATES.

No. 462,962. Patented Nov. 10, 1891.

WITNESSES 3 Sheets-Sheet 3,

( 0 ModeL) H. AIKEN. APPARATUS FOR CONVEYING-AND COOLING METAL PLATES.

Patented Nov. 10,1891.

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Parent HENRY AIKEN, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

APPARATUS FOR CONVEYING AND COOLING METAL PLATES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 462,962, dated November 10, 1891.

Application filed March 23, 1391. Serial No. 385,985. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY AIKEN, of Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Apparatus for Conveying and Cooling Metal Plates, of which the fol lowing is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of my improved apparatus. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section thereof, the section-plane being on the line II II of Fig.4. Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical central section through one of the conveying-rollers. Fig. 4 is a Vertical section on the line IV IV of Fig. 2. The figures on Sheet 3 are detail views of the bearings of the feedrollers. Fig. 5 is a plan View of the bearings, partly in section, on the line V V. of Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a vertical section on the line VI VI of Fig. 5. Fig. '7 is a plan View of a part. Fig. 8 is a vertical section on the line VIII VIII of Fig. 7, and Fig. 9 is a vertical cross-section on the line IX IX of Figs. 7 and 8.

Like symbols of reference indicate like parts in each.

The object of my invention is to provide means for conveying metal plates from the rolls at which they are formed to the shears at which their edges are trimmed and shaped and for cooling the plates in transit. If rolled plates are allowed to cool while resting on the mill-floor, they are very apt to warp and to buckle, so as to spoil, in a measure, their commercial value; but if during their cooling they are supported in such manner that the air shall have free access to both sides this tendency to warp and buckle is prevented,and as a result thevproduct is very much bettered in quality. It often happens, also, that when plates are received from the rolls they are misshapen because of some defect in the shape of the rolls or of their operation. This may be corrected and the plates straightened by causing them to move on surfaces Whose points of contact with the plate change as the plate moves thereon.

These principles are embodied in my improved apparatus, which consists in mechanism for conveying and cooling metal plates, consisting in a conveying-table interposed between the rolls and the shears, having supports which engage a portion only of the surface of the sheet, in combination with moving mechanism adapted to move the plate on said support.

It also consists in such con veyi n gtable, composed of supportingrails inclined in position to the direction of mot-ion of the plates, so that as the plates are moved on the table the points of contact therewith constantly change and effect on the plates the straightening action above noted. 7

It also consists in a certain construction of the feed-rollers used in part of my apparatus.

Referring now to the drawings, 2 represents a table composed of parallel rollers 3, journaled in series and driven by gearing hereinafter particularly described. This table may constitute the feedt-able of the plate-rolls or a part of such table or it may be an independent table to which the plates are delivered from the feed-table of the rolls.

4 is the table of the shears, which may be composed of inverted casters, as described and claimed in my prior patent, No. 393,051, dated November 20, 1888.

Between the shear-table 4E and the table 2 is a conveying-table 5, preferably composed of series of separated rails 6, set at an oblique angle to the line at which the plates travel to the shears, though in the broad claim of this application I do not exclude a construct-ion in which the rails are arranged parallel to the course of the plates. In the drawings I show part of the table constructed with parallel rails 6 in this. manner.

Suitable means are employed for carrying the metal plates over the table. Such means may consist of endless chains 7, which extend between some of the rollers of the table 2 and parallel therewith and within parallel slots or channels formed in the table 5, and at the end of their course are fitted with wheels 8 9, of which the wheels 8 are driven by a shaft 10. Fingers 11 are fixed to the chain, and in traveling therewith project above the level of the tables 2 and 5.

In the operation of my improved apparatus the rolled plates are delivered from the rolls upon the table 2, and by the feed-rollers thereof are conveyed opposite to the end of the table 5. \Vhen in such position the chains Figs. 6, 7, 8, and 9.

are caused to move, and the fingers 11 thereof engaging the plate move it laterally upon the table 5 and along the surface of the same. In such motion the portions of the plate in contact with the oblique supporting-rails constantly change, since the rails do not extend parallel with the direction of motion of the plates, but at an angle thereto. irregularities in the plate are thus smoothed out and straight and regular plates are produced.

In practice I do not move the plates in a single continuous passage from the rolls to the shears, but move them in steps, a short distance at a time, so that a number of the plates may be resting on the table at once. By reversing and advancing the moving mechanism alternately I may also cause the plates to move back and forth on the tables, so that they shall bein motion constantly during the cooling process. \Vhen the plates reach the end of the table 5, they are delivered upon the shear-table, and when the edges have been trimmed they are ready for ship ment or use.

shall now describe the construction and arrangement of the rollers of the table 2, referring especially to the figures on Sheets 2 and 3 of the drawings. The frame of the table may consist of parallel side beams 12,between which the rollers are situate and on which their bearings are supported. roller is preferably composed of a hollow tubular shell 13, bolted or riveted at the ends to circular spiders or disks 14, having central hubs. One of these spiders is cast with a peripheral series of gear-teeth 15, forming an integral cog-wheel adapted to mesh with a driven gear-wheel 16. The roller is not made integral with its journals; but these are constituted by a shaft 17, which extends axially through the roller and through the hub of the spiders and at the ends are journaled in bearings 18, whosesurfaces are spherical in shape and fitted on correspondingly-shaped blocks 19 and confined by caps 19, so that the bearing-blocks may rock longitudinally and thus adjust themselves automatically to any change in position of the roller. The bearing 18 is prevented from rotation by means of a tongue which fits in a longitudinal groove 21 in the block 19, as shown in At the end of the bearing 18 is a hole 20 for the introduction of lubricant to the journal-bearings. When the roller is driven by the gearing above mentioned, as the friction of the end of the shaft in its lubricated journal-bearings is less than the friction of the roller on the shaft at the unlubricated bearing between these parts, the the roller and shaft will rotate together. As the roller is set on the shaft without rigid connection therewith by means of keys, &c., it is free to expand under the influence of the heat imparted to it by the hot plates and is therefore uninjured by such expansion. The roller is confined in place on the shaft Each of the integral character of the connection between the gear-wheel and the roller and the loose setting of the roller on its shaft a very strong and durable arrangement is afforded.

I claim 1. In apparatus for conveying and cooling metal plates from the rolls to the shears, the combination, with the rolls and the shears. of an intermediate conveying-table composed of separated supportin -surfaces affording access of air to both sides of the plates, and conveying mechanism operative to move the plates back and forth on said table, substantially as and for the purposes described.

2. In apparatus for conveying and cooling metal plates, a conveying-table composed of supporting-surfaces supporting the plates on lines inclined in direction to the line of travel of the plates, and conveying mechanism operative to move the plates on said table, substantially as and for the purposes described.

3. In apparatus for conveying and cooling metal plates, the combination, with the rolls and the shears, of a table comprising a series of rollers leading from the rolls, a table comprising a. series of rails extending laterally from said roller-table, and conveying mechanism operative to move .the plates on said rails, substantially as and for the purposes described.

4. A roller for feed-tables, t me, having a tubular body, and spiders fixed in the ends thereof, one of said spiders having a peripheral series of gear-teeth, substantially as and for the purposes described.

5. A roller for feed-tables, 850., having a shaft passing axially through it, but unaffixed thereto, so that the roller is capable of longitudinal expansion, a gear-wheel on the roller, and bearings for the projecting ends of the shaft, substantially as and for the purposes described.

IIC

6. A roller for feed-tables, 850., having a I.

shaft passing axially through it, but unaffixed thereto, so that the roller is capable of longitudinal expansion, and hollow bearings which are fitted on the ends of the shaft and are closed at the ends to confine the shaft, substantially as and for the purposes described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 21st day of March, A. D. 1891.

, HENRY AIKEN. Witnesses:

JNo. B. Soorr, W. B. CoRwIN. 

